Council set to decide on supporting a Wellsford Forest campaign

By
MADDIE WINES

CITY of Greater Bendigo council will decide if it supports a campaign to give the Wellsford Forest a national park status at a council meeting tonight.

Bendigo and District Environment Council convenor Stuart Fraser in the Wellsford Forest. Picture: BRENDAN McCARTHY

CITY of Greater Bendigo council will decide if it supports a campaign to give the Wellsford Forest national park status at a council meeting tonight.

The Wellsford Forest Conservation Alliance started its campaign in February and has encouraged its Facebook followers to attend the meeting to "help support the councillors (in making the decision)".

Wellsford Forest Conservation Alliance co-convenor Wendy Radford said the group was "determined" to gather as much support as possible for the campaign.

"There are roughly 6500 hectares of box and ironbark forest," she said.

"It's on the doorstep of Bendigo - only 10 to 12 kilometres from the heart of Strathdale.

"It's a wonderful resource for Bendigo."

Ms Radford said if the forest was given "greater conservation value" it would prevent tree logging.

She said proper conservation of the forest would benefit the economy and tourism.

"We are asking the council to support the community campaign for greater protection for the Wellsford Forest," she said.

According to tonight's agenda, council will support the campaign.

"(The) City of Greater Bendigo supports the community campaign to see the Wellsford (Forest) protected under the National Parks Act 1975 by writing to the Victoria Government requesting consideration of the matter," read the agenda.